Tension regulator



Aug. 14, 1928. 1,680,368 J. A. DOUGLAS TENSION REGULATOR Filed May 20, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Wafer .Z @d l Y m V/// /a @Murr ampi YW Na7 .1. A DOUGLAS TENSION REGULATOR Fllld May 20 2 Sheets-Sheet 1N ww 4 Aug. 14, 1928.'

Patented Aug. 14, i 1928.

y Numa-Afa PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN ALrRED DOUGLAS, or woonsrnnjNnw' YORK, AssIGNon 'ro AUTO rNEMA'rIo ACTION ooMrANmor Nnw` YORK, N. Y., A ooRroRArroN or. NEW 'YORK-` V'JJIEN'SION REGULATOR.

Application med May 2o,

The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved` tension regulator for use in connection with air pumps, particup larly those which are used to create the tension or suction for operating musical instruments.

A pump of this kind usually operates to remove the maximum quantity of air, and as it is desirable to play the musical instrument with a constant tension and as the amount of air to be removed varies from time to time under different operating conditions, it is desirable to use a tension regulator in connection with such a pump.

The tension regulator that I have invented for this purpose comprises a pneumatic having its movable leaf exposed to the tension, a spring for distending the pneumatic, a spill valve for admitting air, and a yielding connection between the movable leaf of the pneumatic and the spill valve.

By this arrangement, enough air will be admitted to meet the varying calls and maintain a constant tension. The connection between said movable leaf and the spill valve is made in the form of a spring so that the spill valve will automatically assume its proper regulating position much quicker than if a direct or rigid connection was used between the movable leaf and the spillvalve.

The best form of apparatus for practicing the invention now known to me is illust-rated in the accompanyin drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side e evation of a suction or tension pump with my improved tension regulator applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the tension regulator on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional elevation on the Vline S34-3 of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing the application of my improved tension regulator for use in connection with other forms of pumps.

Referring to the drawings and in detail to the first sheet, A designates a tension or vacuum producing pump, which may be of anyy usual construction and which may be operated by an electric motor. This pump is connected to draw the air from the wind-chest ofthe musical instrument.

B designates the top channel-board of the pump, the tension being created by the suc- 192e.v serial No. r110,564.

tion pneumatics in a channel running around the frame of the pump.

My improved tension regulator is arranged on this channel-board. The same consists of a hollow block 10, in which is arranged a pivoted spill valve 11. The block is connected' to thev channel in the air pump by a passage .12. The spill valve 11 controls a passage 13 to the atmosphere, pieces of felt or strainers being arranged in this passage to prevent dust or air being drawn into the apparatus.

A pneumatic 14 is secured on the top of the block 10 and a passage 15 connects the pneumatic with the air channel in the pump. The pneumatic 14 is'normally extended by a leaf spring 16 secured on the top of the pneumatic. A rod orlink 17 extends through a hole in the end of the leaf sprin 16, and a nut 18 is threaded on the link"l 1g?, whereby the f spring tension holding the pneumatic open can be adjusted. The movable leaf of the pneumatic is connected to the spill valve by a coil spring 19, which provides a yielding connection between these parts.

In operation the pneumatic 14 operates andcontrols the spill valve to allow just the right amount of air to pass into the channel in the pump to maintain a constant tension and to balance the varying demands from the instrument.

By use of the yieldi-nor connection or coil spring between the movable leaf of the pneumatic and the spill valve, the spill valve will take its proper position very quickly and maintain such position very accurately, the (zo-operation of the, springs 16 and A19 allowing the spill valveto maintain the proper tension. v

In Fig. 3 my improved tension regulator is shown as applied for use with a horizontally arranged suction pump, and in Fig. 4 the same is shown as applied for use in connection with a rotating suction pump.

The operation in these modifications is substantially the same as that previously described.

TheV details and arrangements herein shown and described may be greatly variedV by a skilled mechanic` without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Y Y

Having thus Vfully described `my invention, What I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is l. A tension regulator for use in connection with an air pump, comprising a lpneu.- matic having its movable leaf exposed to the tension, a spring for distending the pneumatic, a spill valve for admitting air, and a yielding connection between the movable leaf of the pneumatic and spill valve.

2.A A tension regulator for use in connection With a vacuum pump, comprising a pneumatic having its movable leaf exposed to the tension, la spring for distending the pneumatic, a spill valve for admitting air,

and a spring connection between the movable leaf of the pneumatic and the spill valve.

3. A tension regulator for use in connection With a vacuum pump, comprising a pneumatic having its movable leaf exposed to the tension, a spring for distendingthe pneumatic, a spill valve for admitting air, and a coil spring connecting the movable leaf of the pneumatic with the spill valve.

In testimonywvhereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

JOHN ALFRED DOUGLAS. 

